The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-04-28
Will ME. CLEVELAND DECLINE.

A Washington correspondent has started
story to the effect that President Cleveland
neither wishes nor will accept a second term.
This will be startling information TO the coun-
try setting at rest the important question of a
second term, now the subject of interesting con-
alteration in political circles everywhere.
The correspondent vouches for the truth Of
his information. lie SAYS that ii comes from
the President himself, who made a declaration
10 this effect 10 prominent Democratic Senator
from one OF the Western States, who is on terms
OF especial intimacy at the White House. The
President is alleged TO have spoken so empha-
tcaily aud with so much earnestness that the
Senator 10 whom he was talking could not doubt
his sincerity. His manner as well as his words
indicated that the declaration was the decision
OF a firm resolution.
The President said that be had not given any
intimate OF his feelings TO the representatives
OF the press f0r the simple reason that he felt
that nothing he might say about the matter
would BE- believed +" hardly expect anybody
60 believe IT," he said, except my wife, but ii
h. so none the less" Continuing he added
T" Everything do, every appointment make,
they think a. Is 10 secure recollection. On the
contrary, ] am counting the days that remain
until my release from Office, just as ii ] were
prisoner in confinement"
Mr. Cleveland dwclt on the eXacting and
laborious duties attached to the Office. Norman
he said, could stand the strain, at once physical
anc mental, for a longer period than four years.
without risk OF permanent injury 10 his health
For these reasons he could not think Of a con-
tinuancC ~ his term. Nothing would uefsuade
him 10 alter this resolution which he bad de-
libcmtely formed. lie did not want a second
term, aud be did not believe there were any
obligations Of public duy which could require
him 90 forcgO his personal wishes
The Senator who repeated this conversation
said that while lac did not think the President
spoke TO him FOR the purpose of having the con-
versation published, yet Mr.. Cleveland made
mo injunction Of secrecy, and the Senator has
not done 50 either. IL Is not unlikely this
private discussion Of the matter will eventually
provoke some formal aud public utterance by
the President. The Senator is quite convinced
that the President was sincere and that every
word is meant for just what il implies, and that
il will be wholly useless 10 plan the next cam
paign on the basis OF a denomination Of Cleye
Sand. The President was specific and decided
IN saying he conld not be induced by any DOS
sible considerations TO change his mind.
NEW GRAND ARMY HALL
The attention Of the comrades of'the Depart
ment OF the Potomac is now drawn 10 complet
ing arrangements for Decoration Day and tht
dedication Of their ball on Pennsylvania
avenue, near Fourteenth street. All the com
mittees Tor the observance of Memorial DAY
have been appointed aud are actively engaged
~ lheIf Mork. May has been set apart as thi
ume for the dedication of the new hall. Thu
affair viii take place al night, provided IA,
chairs ordered for that occasion arrived i'm time
"A most excellent program Of exercises has beer
arranged. The proposition first suggested {,
begin the ceremonies with parade has beer
abandoned on account Of the inability OF Com
mander-in- Chief Fairchild TO be present. tn,
dedicatory services will be conducted by DE
partment Commander J. b Burke, and on com
pietion Of this part Of the ceremony rousinf
Campfire will take place and prominent mem
bers OF the Order deliver speeches. An orchos
era will be engaged and vocal and instrumental